The Bishop of Botswana, the Rt Rev Trevor Mwamba, has been appointed Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Chelmsford and Rector of St Margaret’s Team Ministry and Barking St Patrick’s with Christ Church.

“Barking is getting a man of rare wisdom, good humour and experience. He will light up the church in Barking.” the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell said on 3 October 2012., while the Bishop of Barking, Rt Rev David Hawkins, added that it was a “great privilege for Barking and the Chelmsford Diocese to have someone from the African Continent of such distinction and international reputation. Bishop Trevor will be an important role model of leadership for many within the church and wider society of the Borough.”

A native of Zambia, Bishop Mwamba was educated at the University of Zambia and trained for the priesthood at Saint Stephen’s House, Oxford, and was ordained in 1984 at Saint Luke’s Chelsea in London, serving his curacy in the Parish of All Saints, Notting Hill before returning to Zambia where he was priested in Ndola in 1985.

In 1987 Bishop Mwamba was appointed Provincial Secretary of the Church of the Province of Central Africa, and from 1996 to 1999 undertook graduate work at Keble College, Oxford. From 2000 to 2005 Bishop Mwamba worked as a banker with Standard Chartered Bank Botswana Ltd and was consecrated Bishop of Botswana on 6 Feb 2005.

Considered the most progressive member of the CPSA House of Bishops, Bishop Mwamba had clashed with his colleagues over the Lake Malawi episcopal impasse and for his links with the Episcopal Church and the Modern Churchpersons Union. The bishop had also come under fire from his clergy for allegedly favoring non-Botswana clergy in appointments.

Bishop Mwamba said he was “delighted and look forward to ministering” in Barking.

“With immense joy, humility and hope I approach my ministry at St Margaret’s, Barking, a parish which clearly reflects this multicultural and multi-ethnic dimension. I look forward to connecting pastorally with the diversity of people found in Barking and enabling others to engage with the needs of the parish,” the bishop said.